A hidden gem among the various clubs East Peoria has to offer, the Peoria Skeet and Trap Club allows its roughly 250 members access to registered shoots throughout the year.
The goal of skeet and trap shooting is to hit tar targets, which are shot into the air. The club uses only shotguns in their shoots and a chip on the disk counts as a hit.
In skeet shooting, the targets are shot into the air crossing the line of sight, while in trap shooting the disc is shot as an outgoing target.
Peoria Skeet and Trap is run by an eight-member board, with four directors and a guaranteed spot for the past president.
Earl Sheets, who was president in 1983, 2003 and 2004, has been part of the club for about 35 years.
“I was a duck hunter first, but you can only hunt for four months out of the year,” Sheets said. “It’s a great place to come hang out.”
The club hosts registered shoots throughout the season and all results are sent into the National Skeet Shooting Association and the Amateur Trapshooting Association.
“You use the same scorecard for life and each member is given their own number,” Sheets said. “The numbers are sent into nationals and a magazine is sent out each month.”
The members work to continue the enthusiasm for the sport with the younger generation, as well as promote safe shooting.
“Younger kids get to shoot at a lower price and are given instructions, if needed, on how to shoot. Also, whenever you are shooting you have to wear safety glasses,” Sheets said.
Ed Dean, a member of the club for more than 40 years, is the fifth person ever to hit 650 out of 650 targets in the world tour.
“I worked as a trap boy before I got into the sport,” Dean said. “I’ve been at Peoria Skeet and Trap for 45 years. It’s my home club.”
The club has hosted national events nine times in the past, but not in recent years.
It recently hosted the eighth annual Gene Zerwekh Honor Shoot, an unregistered shoot put on by the club for its members.
Peoria Skeet and Trap is open Thursday (league), Friday and Sunday.
“This is probably the nicest skeet and trap club in the area,” Sheets said. “You get to come here, put some money up, and shoot some targets.”
The club’s address is 1470 Spring Bay Road, East Peoria, and its phone number is 822-8146.
